Salinas Airport managers outline multi-airport economic study and terminal, fence and hangar upgrades

The Salinas Airport Commission on Thursday received an administrative update that covered a planned four‑airport economic impact study, a terminal patio rehabilitation tied to Jonathan’s Flying Artichoke restaurant, a cost‑shared fence replacement along Skyway Boulevard, a hangar roof epoxy project and several smaller facility and community programs.

Airport manager said the commission and staff expect a multi‑airport Airport Economic Impact Study (AEIS) that includes Salinas, Watsonville, Hollister and Marina to take roughly six months before publication. “We are now finally everything’s approved, signed, sealed, and delivered,” the airport manager said. He said a joint study reduces redundant work and cost while allowing each airport to retain distinct local data.

The AEIS will collect data from tenants and other stakeholders to measure jobs, direct and indirect revenues and sales activity tied to the four airports. The manager said the group pursued a joint study because “things are more expensive now, and so by having a … joint study would save on some redundancies,” and because comparative data could help each airport “further leverage our airports.”

The commission also reviewed a terminal…